A Call toHope,A Call to ActA Pastoral Letter from Bishop Peter A. Libascito the people of the Diocese of Manchester

January 16, 2019

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As we transition from our year of prayer and prepa-ration for implementing Restore • Renew • Proclaim the Hope that is Christ, now is a good time to reflect on where we have been and how we have been changed and transformed.

Our diocese has been in conversation and discus-sion for the past 13 years about lifelong faith forma-tion and renewing sacramental preparation, includ-ing restoring the order of the sacraments of initiation. These discussions have included priests and parish leaders. During this past year, we have shared the fruits of those discussions with the parishes. I see a need for faith formation not confined to the formation of children but includes all life stages and ages. It is now time for us to give life to these discussions.

NEW WAYS OF SEEING AND DOING

There have been many blessings during the past year as well as many challenges. We are all enter-ing the transition years with hope and excitement as well as some concerns. It will require new ways of seeing and doing what has been happening for many years in faith formation.

The heart of the initiative is to strengthen our com-mitment to lifelong faith formation in all our parish-es, schools and home schools. We have things in place that will help make this a reality, but we re-alize there are still areas in which we need to im-prove. Pope Francis encourages us to accompany each other, reach out to those beyond our parish communities and recommit ourselves to living as missionary disciples. This is new for all of us. This process will take time, but will bear much fruit if we believe and trust that with God all things are possible. (Lk 1:37)

Some may want to remain in prayer and prepara-tion mode, longing for more clarity, more certain-ty. However, just as Peter, James and John could

Want to learn more?Stay informed about Restore • Renew • Proclaim the Hope that is Christ by visiting our website:catholicnh.org/lifelong

www

“The heart of the initiative is to strengthen

our commitment tolifelong faith formation

in all our parishes, schools and home

schools.”

Bishop Peter A. Libasci

Photo: Michael Richards

Photo: Matthew LomannoCover photo also courtesy of

Matthew Lomanno

not remain on the mountaintop with Jesus, we, too, must come down from the mountain and be about the ministry of forming missionary disciples and evangelization. We continue to pray and prepare, but now is the time for action.

THE FAMILY & PARISH COMMUNITY

We are now experiencing a new pattern for cele-brating the sacrament of Confirmation. As youth of all ages receive the graces of the sacrament, it will be important to continue to listen to their needs, questions, desires, hopes and challenges. Families will find support and encouragement in their parish communities to foster ongoing faith development within the home. All members of the parish commu-nity share the responsibility for handing on the faith by their presence and living as disciples of Jesus Christ. Listening to each other and joyfully sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ (Evangelii Gaudium #1) strengthens parish communities and builds up the Kingdom of God in our midst.

A LIFELONG JOURNEY TOGETHER

The journey of faith is lifelong. Like life itself, this journey is not always clearly defined or predictable. Accompanying each other is, therefore, very im-portant. Like the disciples on the Road to Emmaus (Lk 24: 13-35), walking with each other provides an opportunity to care for one another, to see others in a new light and to grow in our understanding of people and situations.

As we listen and walk with each other, we deepen our relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit dwelling within us. As we journey we face many de-

cisions about how we live in relationship with others and the direction of our lives. The Holy Spirit guides our discernment and gives us the gifts we need. We are open to these gifts when we gather to celebrate the sacraments, pray and share faith and practice the works of mercy.

ENRICHING EVANGELIZATION

Being rooted in a lifelong journey of faith within the local, diocesan and universal Church enriches our evangelization ministry; i.e., sharing of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Sustained by God’s grace and supported by the faith community, our words and deeds witness to the foundation of our faith, namely “that in Jesus Christ, the Son of God made man, who died and rose from the dead, salvation is offered to all men, as a gift of God’s grace and mercy.” (Evan-gelii Nuntiandi #27) In light of this, our witness to and sharing of the Good News of Jesus Christ is central to the life and mission of the Church. Pope Benedict XVI put it this way, “The Church exists to evangelize.” (Homily, Oct. 7, 2012)

Photo: Becky Schmidt

“The journey of faith is lifelong.”Bishop Peter A. Libasci

TIME TO ACTIn conclusion, it is now time for us to act: to strengthen lifelong faith formation in our parishes, Catholic Schools and home schools and renew sacrament preparation in order that as the Church in New Hampshire we Restore · Renew · Proclaim the Hope that is Christ today and into the future.

To strengthen lifelong faith formation, the diocese will provide:• Pastors and parish staff with resources to guide lifelong faith formation

• Catechetical leaders with continuing formation and training

• Families with ways to make your homes a little church and strengthen your Catholic faith in daily living

• Young adults and youth with regional and diocesan-wide events

• Early childhood catechetical resources and training

• Caregivers for elderly parents resources to support and help them fulfill their responsibilities and tasks

To renew sacrament preparation, the diocese will ensure that:• Sacrament preparation guidelines are revised to reflect present day life situations• Marriage preparation is receiving renewed emphasis diocesan wide and locally• RCIA Teams receive ongoing formation and training • Liturgical Ministers receive ongoing formation and training• Baptism preparation is redeveloped and reflects lifelong faith formation

A SHARED MISSIONThis initiative will flourish and bear good fruit through a more intentional acceptance of our baptismal call to live in union with the Trinity and with each other and to care for the most vulnerable. With the grace and guidance of the Holy Spirit, our relationships and everyday life events naturally form and transform us as a church and equip us to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with joy. It is obvious that our world is in need of and longing for the hope that is Christ. Bringing this hope to so many people is a shared responsibility that will only be fruitful if everyone is involved and committed. As disciples of Jesus Christ and the Church in New Hampshire, let us claim our shared mission and help people see and experience that Jesus is pertinent, that the sacraments are perpetual and that Christian life and death are the perfection of God’s plan.